Open letter to the mom who has had enough of shaming

First off, I want you to know that how you feel is perfectly normal. I am not saying you should just accept it either. There is no excuse for mom-shaming those who truly love and care for their kids. Granted, the way you choose to raise your child goes against the norm, but it does not make you love any less valid.

Let me tell you a little bit about my experience. I was shamed for choosing to raise my kids alone. I had found out my husband had been cheating on me and instead of turning a blind eye and letting him keep hurting me for the sake of our kids, as others suggested, I broke things off.

I was told that I did not care enough about my kids that what I did was selfish. But I knew that valuing self-care will make me a truly good mother. I am not saying ending a marriage is always the best decision. I tried so hard to keep our family together, but it just was not healthy.

You cannot change other people's minds, but you can choose not to be doubt yourself because of their judgment

I want you know you are not alone. Mom-shaming is real. Anyone who tells you it doesn't happen probably has not experienced it. But this has happened to me, too. You are not alone.

As moms, we are under tremendous---often, self-imposed---pressure to be perfect, to have it all figured out. But I want to remind you that you owe yourself the chance to grow and learn alongside your kids. Do not beat yourself up too much. Keep striving to care for your kids and to build a future for them the best way you know how.

You cannot change other people's minds, but you can choose not to be doubt yourself because of their judgment.

READ: 4 Types of mom-shaming that all moms can relate to